Abstract

We demonstrated a fast response and large tunable focusing imaging system consisting of a lens module and a liquid crystal(LC) lens based on the switching of two modes of a LC lens: the negative LC lens and positive LC lens. By discarding the conventional operation of a positive LC lens only in the imaging system, large tunable focusing range can be achieve from 300 to 10 cm owning to the phase change between the positive and the negative LC lens; meanwhile, the response time is fast . The potential applications are autofocused cell phones, and cameras.

Received 30 June 2010Accepted 20 July 2010Published online 10 August 2010

Acknowledgments:

The authors are indebted to Mr. Chuan-Chung Chang (ITRI) for the technical assistance. This research was supported by the National Science Council (NSC) in Taiwan under the Contract No. 98-2112-M-009-017-MY3.